Filter sand plays an essential role in almost every water treatment system, ranging from municipal WTPs and industrial filtration units to RO pretreatment, desalination, and swimming pool filtration. Because of the global rise in water demand, industries increasingly rely on high-purity, AWWA B100 certified, and EN 12904 compliant filter sand to achieve consistent and safe filtration.
Starke Aquacare Technologies is a leading filter sand supplier, exporting to over 30 countries, including the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Through advanced processing, standardized grading, and strict quality control, Starke provides a complete range of silica sand filter media suitable for every water treatment application.
What Exactly Is Filter Sand?
At its core, filter sand refers to graded and washed silica sand engineered to remove:
suspended solids
turbidity
silt and clay
organic matter
TSS
certain iron and manganese impurities
sediments from raw water
Unlike ordinary construction sand, filter sand undergoes washing, drying, sieving, grading, and quality control, ensuring compliance with AWWA B100, EN 12904, and IS 8419 standards. Consequently, the choice of filter sand directly influences water clarity, bed stability, head loss, filtration cycles, and overall system performance.
Types of Filter Sand Supplied by Starke
Starke offers a wide portfolio of filter sand, each processed for specific industries and system requirements. Moreover, all variants are available in multiple mesh sizes and bulk-density specifications.
1. Silica Sand Filter Media (High-Purity Silica)
This is the most widely used water filtration sand media. It offers:
high purity
low clay content
strong abrasion resistance
accurate particle size
stable filtration cycles
Starke’s popular silica sand sizes include:
0.45–0.55 mm
0.6–1.2 mm
1.2–2.4 mm
Additionally, graded filter sand is produced for rapid sand filters, multimedia filters, and dual media beds.
2. Washed & Dried Filter Sand
This variant is ideal for systems requiring extremely clean and dust-free media.
Starke supplies:
washed filter sand (low turbidity)
dried filter sand (precise grading)
angular filter sand (high depth filtration)
round-grain filter sand (high flow rate systems)
3. Graded Filter Sand (AWWA & EN Compliant)
Graded sand is used for:
rapid sand filters
slow sand filters
dual-media filters
multimedia deep-bed filters
Because it maintains consistent ES and UC, it provides predictable performance in large-scale WTPs.
4. Natural Quartz Sand (Premium Water Treatment Sand)
Quartz sand is valued for:
high mechanical durability
low impurities
consistent bulk density
excellent abrasion resistance
Its stability under pressure makes it ideal for industrial applications.
Technical Specifications Engineers Care About
Selecting the right industrial filter sand requires evaluating several parameters. Furthermore, these parameters determine the filtration rate, head loss, and performance consistency.
✔ Effective Size (ES)
ES typically ranges between 0.45 mm to 1.2 mm, depending on the filtration design.
Proper ES ensures optimal turbidity removal and flow rates.
✔ Uniformity Coefficient (UC)
Starke offers UC values:
<1.5 (premium AWWA grade)
<1.7 (economic grade)
A lower UC reduces channeling and ensures even flow distribution.
✔ Bulk Density
Filter sand bulk density ranges from 1450–1600 kg/m³, influencing vessel sizing and backwash behavior.
✔ Chemical Purity
Ideal specifications include:
SiO₂ > 95–99%
Minimal clay
Very low LOI (Loss on Ignition)
✔ Moisture Content
Low moisture ensures:
accurate weight
easy handling
consistent performance
Starke’s dried filter sand contains minimal surface moisture.
Applications of Filter Sand Across Industries
Filter sand is used in almost every modern water treatment system. Additionally, its versatility makes it the go-to media for EPCs, consultants, and OEMs.
1. Municipal Water Treatment Plants (WTP)
Used for:
rapid sand filters
gravity filters
multimedia beds
It helps achieve NTU <1 for drinking water applications.
2. Industrial Filtration Systems
Industries such as refineries, power plants, and chemical factories use filter sand in:
cooling tower filters
boiler feed water systems
process water polishing
high-flow industrial filters
3. Desalination & RO Pretreatment
Filter sand protects:
RO membranes
ultrafiltration membranes
downstream processes
With proper grading, it delivers high TSS removal and low SDI.
4. STP/ETP Filtration Beds
Filter sand efficiently reduces:
TSS
sludge carryover
suspended organics
Therefore, it ensures consistent discharge compliance.
5. Swimming Pool Sand Filters
It offers:
superior clarity
low head loss
longer backwash cycles
Consequently, pool operators prefer high-grade swimming pool filter sand for efficiency.
6. Aquaculture & Agriculture
Aquaculture biofilters and agricultural irrigation systems require stable, low-clay water purification sand for uninterrupted flow.
Filter Sand in Dual-Media & Multimedia Filters
Starke’s filter sand is widely used with anthracite, garnet, gravel, and zeolite in multi-layer systems. Because of its consistent particle size distribution, it improves:
flow rates
filtration depth
head loss performance
filter run time
Moreover, multimedia filters using Starke sand achieve higher clarity at lower operating costs.
Why Starke Sand Is Preferred Globally
Starke’s leadership as a filter sand exporter India comes from:
AWWA B100 compliance
EN 12904 compliant grading
advanced washing and drying
dust-free processing
moisture-proof export packaging
Additionally, Starke provides 25 kg, 50 kg, and jumbo bags, all palletized for international shipments.
Benefits of Starke Filter Sand
✔ High flow rate
✔ Lower pressure drop
✔ Superior turbidity removal
✔ Better backwash expansion
✔ High structural strength
✔ Long service life
Furthermore, Starke’s sand performs consistently across varying raw water conditions.
How to Choose the Right Filter Sand Supplier
When selecting a supplier, evaluate:
certification
fines content
moisture levels
mesh accuracy
export packaging
ES/UC consistency
technical support
Starke excels in every category, making it the preferred choice for EPC contractors, government tenders, and industrial integrators.
Why Starke Leads the Global Filter Sand Market
Starke is recognized worldwide for:
20+ years of production expertise
extensive export network
high-purity silica
ready stock for urgent dispatch
OEM & wholesale supply
AWWA/EN/IS-certified sand
Consequently, Starke remains the most reliable filter sand supplier for large and small water treatment projects.
Conclusion
Filter sand remains a foundational element in water treatment. Because it delivers consistent filtration, protects downstream systems, and supports municipal-quality water, it continues to be one of the most widely used and dependable media worldwide.
Starke Aquacare Technologies, with its AWWA B100, EN 12904, and IS 8419 compliant filter sand, proudly supplies high-purity, export-grade media to clients across the globe.
💧 Buy Filter Sand from Starke – Export-Ready Supply
📦 25kg | 50kg | Jumbo bags
🌍 Ships to Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia-Pacific
📧 info@starkefiltermedia.com
🌐 www.starkefiltermedia.com